The Eagles’ feat, securing a 69-all draw against the unbeaten Murray Football League table-topper, was all the more impressive considering they did it away from home at Congupna Recreation Reserve.
United stunned The Road early, jumping out to a two-goal lead through five minutes, but the league-leader steadied and kicked three straight to claim the lead.
On many days Congupna, boasting a season percentage of almost 183 coming out of this game, would have pushed on from there, blowing out to a big win, but there was something special about the Eagles on this day.
They refused to go away and had two more majors by quarter-time, leading by a goal at the first break.
The second period was an arm wrestle and it took almost 14 minutes for the first goal to be found.
Congupna would win the term two goals to one, leading by two at the main break 36-34.
Again it looked as if the Eagles’ time in the sun may be up, as The Road booted three straight to start the third, but a better end to the period had the Eagles down only 15 at the final change.
Congupna stretched the lead to 21 with 10 minutes gone in the term, the writing looking to be on the wall after a spirited Echuca United performance, but the Eagles had one last surge left in them.
The visitors flew home late in the fourth term, kicking three unanswered goals and scoring the final 21 points to level things up at the final siren, both sides kicking 10.9 (69).
Coming in with a 3-6 record, United certainly wasn’t the neutrals’ first guess on who would slow the roll of the league leader, but having put in easily their best shift of the year, given the opponent, the Eagles know more performances of this calibre could spark a late finals push.
The Road remain way out in front at the top of the league, still three-and-a-half games clear of second spot.
Echuca United’s next game is against perhaps the league’s unluckiest side, Finley, the Cats having won two of 11 games despite a percentage of 107.92.
The Eagles will be at home for the clash, scheduled for Echuca South Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The game
Echuca United: 4.2, 5.4, 7.5, 10.9 (69)
Congupna: 3.2, 5.6, 9.8, 10.9 (69)
Goals
Echuca United: Cody Haub 3, Sam Simpson 3, Elijah Bruns 2, Max Connelly, Brady Simpson
Congupna: Samuel Poole 4, Daniel Schaper 2, Sam Barbuto, Brodie Gee, Tate Mifka, Bryden Squire
Best
Echuca United: Mitchell Boyd, Max Connelly, Angus McMahon, Ryder Johnson, Russell Eden, Cody Haub
Congupna: Jonah Vraca, Samuel Poole, Bryden Squire, Daniel Schaper, James Boyer, Tate Mifka
8°C